Window latching device



Get. 31, 1961 M. RIFKIN 3,006,178

WINDOW LATCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Mama P/F-K/N ATTORNEY Oct. 31, 1961 M. RIFKIN 3,006,178

WINDOW LATCHING D EVICE Filed Dec. 3, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T1 :rl E12;

INVENTOR MC'A/fil. PIP 1N ATTORNEY This invention relates generally to an improved window latching device and, more particularly, to an improved window latching device incorporating a novel antiburglary locking arrangement.

In my application Serial No. 685,971 filed on September 24, 1957, now abandoned, for Window Latching Device, there are disclosed latch arrangements having novel means for locking sashes in a closed, or near closed, condition in a burglar proof manner and one important aim and object of the present invention is the provision of a window latching device of a generally similar character having improved means for locking sashes in a burglarproof manner.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of a latching device or sash lock which may be used with conventional types of double-hung windows, either as an original installation sash lock or as a replacement for the conventional types of presently used sash locks.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved latching device of the aforenoted character which is of simple design and construction, and in which the anti-burglary locking feature may be made selectively operative or inoperative by the householder in a quick and facile manner.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing a sash stile and associated latching device of the present invention with the latching device in a locked condition;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of the key lock bolt and companion lock bolt removing tool;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, shown partly in section, of a sash lock formed according to the present invention and adapted for use with double-hung sash, said section part being taken on the line 55 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing another modified form of double-hung sash lock;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, shown partly in section, of a modified form of key lock bolt;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form of latching device;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 1111 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

Referring to the drawings and, more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown a window construction 10 which may be of the general type disclosed in my above referred to patent application and in my Patent No. 2,694,237 issued on November 16, 1954. The window construction includes a sash 12 which is mounted for vertical reciprocation between a companion pair of runners, one of which is fixed with the opposite one being 3,096,178 Patented Get. 31, 1961 laterally movable towards its associated jamb member against the action of spring means disposed between said jamb member and the movable runner. Thus the window construction may be of the removable sash type or, if desired, and as will be apparent from the description which follows, the window construction may be of the non-removable sash type.

The latching device 14 of the present invention is secured in the recess or mortise 16 of a companion sash stile 18, the latching device incorporating an improved anti-burglary feature so that the sashes may be locked in a closed, or near closed, position in a burglarproo f manner. The latching device 14 comprises a U-shaped bracket 2% having laterally spaced walls 22 and 24- interconnected by a transverse wall 26, said wall 24 defining a face plate which is flush with the surface of the outer side 28 of the stile. The walls 22 and 24 have aligned circular apertures 30 and 32, respectively extending therethrough which mount the latching member 34 for axial movement. The latching member 34 has a central part 36 of quadrilateral cross section and end parts 38 and 4d of circular cross section. If desired, the parts 38 and 4t may be threadedly engaged to the part 36 to facilitate the assembly of the latching member with the bracket 20. The end part 38 is adapted to project into the closed bottom aperture 42 of the stile.

The jamb 44 is provided with a series of apertures 46 defined by the sound absorbent sleeves 43, said apertures being adapted for the reception of the part 40. The apertures 46 may be at spaced levels for the reception of part 49 for releasably latching the sash at selected levels or such apertures may be provided only at levels corresponding to the closed or closed and near closed positions of the sash. Any suitable device or fitting may be provided at the jamb for reception of part 40'.

Secured to the rear wall of the bracket 20', as by means of welding or the like, is a block 50 which has the front face 52 thereof disposed in adjacent relation with the latching member. The latching member is light ly biased away from the block 50 by means of the compression coil spring 54 which is seated in recess 56 of the block and which bears against the rear face 58 of the latching member. Any suitable means may be used, other than spring 54, for applying a frictional drag on the latching member so as to retain the latter in its manually adjusted position. The latching member is provided with an aperture 60 having a counterbore 62 at the front face 64 thereof, said aperture 60 having a keyway 66 coextensive therewith. The block 50 is provided with an aperture 63 and keyway '70 in registry with aperture 60 and keyway 66 and of corresponding size. The block 50 is recessed as indicated at 72 and suitably secured in said recess as by means of a press-fit or the like is a star washer 74 (see FIG. 7) which registers with aperture 68. One of the slots 76 of washer 74 registers with the keyways 66 and 70, said washer being provided with a series of slots 76 extending peripherally thereof for a reason which will be apparent from the description which follows.

In order to lock the sash in a sash locked position and in a burglarproof manner, the part 40 is engaged in an aperture 46 at a level in which the sash is closed or near closed and in this position the apertures 60 and 68 will register so that the key lock bolt 78 (FIG. 3) may be manipulated therethrough. The lock bolt 78 has a shaft part 80 and a head 82 which are formed complementary to the apertures 69, 6'8 and counterbore 62, respectively to interfit therewith. The inner end of the shaft part 80 is provided with a laterally projecting key '84 which tapers longitudinally of the bolt towards the head thereof. The apex 86 of the key is in the form of a relatively thin edge which confronts the washer '74 in the installed position of the bolt 78. While a specific form of key has been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent that other forms of keys may be used to accomplish the function to be pointed out in detail hereinafter. it will be apparent that the key 84 is registered with the keyways 66, 70 when the bolt is extended through the apertures 69, 68. In the installed position of bolt 78, the head 82 thereof interfits with the counterbore 62 and the outer face $8 of the head is flush with the face as of the latching member. The bolt 75 is rotated to take the key 84 out of registry with the keyways 65, 7'61 and to lock the sash in a burglarproof manner. it will be apparent that the bolt 78 must be removed to unlock the sash and such removal requires the registry of the key with the keyways. This is accomplished by the householder by rotating the bolt to align the index mark 90 on the face 33 of the bolt with the index mark 92 on the face 64 of the latching member and with the index marks so aligned the key will be in registry with the key- Ways and the bolt will be conditioned for axial retraction. The latching member and bolt are preferably formed of magnetizable material in the instant embodiment and the bolt may be readily axially retracted from the apertures 60, 68 by a suitable magnetic device such as the magnetic tool 94 which is best shown in FIG. 3. The householder manipulates the tool 4 to the face of the bolt head and the latter will be magnetically attracted to the tool so that the bolt may be axially retracted. The belt head -82 is provided with a very small aperture 96 to facilitate the rotation of the bolt and the latter may be rotated by a suitable pin inserted in said aperture or by the pin hb formed complementary to the aperture 96 projecting at the end of the tool 94. Thus the bolt may be readily rotated and retracted by the householder to unlock the sash but this becomes a near impossible task for a wouldbe burglar who must gain access to the bolt from an outside position, as by breaking a Window pane. Even if the burglar is sufficiently accomplished to know that lock bolt removal is required for unlocking a sash, he will be frustrated in his attempt to remove the lock bolt without frontal visual access thereto, and thus the latching device provides a burglarproof sash lock. With the lock bolt in a locked condition the front exposed surface of the latching member presents a substantially uniform feel to the touch to therefore render the accurate locating of the bolt head near impossible without frontal visual access. This feature may be enhanced by providing the front face 64 of the latching member and the face 83 of the bolt head with smooth polished surfaces. Even if the bolt head is located the would-be burglar Without frontal visual access could not register the index lines 96 and 92 which is a prerequisite for lock bolt removal. If such would-be burglar should apply a magnet to the bolt head and attempt to Withdraw and rotate the Same to a position in which the key 84- is registered with the keyways, the key will lock in a slot 7d of the star washer 74 to prevent the rotation of the bolt, the configuration of the key, and more particularly the thin edge apex 86 thereof, facilitating this locking action. Only one slot 76 will be registered with the keyways and the rotation of the key to register with such slot is a very difficult or near impossible task without frontal visual access. Thus thewasher 7 functions to prevent the rotation of the bolt when the latter is slightly axially retracted by a magnet so a to prevent the use of such magnet from applying a bolt retracting force concomitant with the rotation thereof. Where the latching member is also formed of magnetizable material the registering of a magnet with the bolt head by a would-be burglar is very difficult as the magnet will be equally attracted to the face of the latching member and the bolt head and it Will be difficult to manipulate the magnet along the face d of the latchin member to a position of registry with the bolt head.

Secured in the elongated opening 1% of the sash stile is a trim plate 1:;2 having an elongated opening 104 providing access to the face of the latching member. If desired, a suitable finger piece may be used with the latching member to facilitate the axial movement thereof when the lock bolt is removed therefrom or such manipulation may be accomplished through the medium of the counterbore of the latching member.

It is within the scope of the present invention to use a lock bolt having a slotted head in which case removal may be effected by the use of a quick-wedge screwdriver in place of a magnetic tool.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a modified form of lock bolt 73' and magnetic tool 94 which differ from the aforedescribed lock bolt and tool in the manner to be described. The head 82 is provided with a series of different sized spaced apertures 96' formed complementary to the pins $8 of the magnetic tool and the pins are insertable in the apertures in one position only. In practice, the pins are inserted or plugged into the apertures 96' and the assembly is rotated to align the index mark hil on the peripheral face of the tool with the index mark 2 on the latching member, and in this position the lock bolt may be axially retracted as aforedescribed. With reference to FIG. 9, the lock bolt 78 differs from the lock bolt 73 in that bolt '73" is formed in two parts 166 and 1% which are press fitted or otherwise suitably secured to each other, the part 196 being formed of magnetizable material and the part 108 being formed of non-magnetizable material. The part we is provided with a reduced diameter shaft portion 11 and the part 163 is provided with a companion aperture 112, it being apparent that magnetic tool must be accurately registered with the exposed portion 11b to rotate the bolt and withdraw the same, to thereby enhance the antiburglary feature aforedescn'bed.

With reference to FIGS. 5-8, there are shown forms a latch device or sash lock which may be used with conventional types of double-hung windows, either as an original installation sash lock or as a replacement for the presently used sash lock. Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, the sash lock Til i comprises a complementary pair of releasably interengageable latch parts 116 and 118 which are secured to the meeting rails 12% and 322, respectively, of a double-hung window by suitable fasteners, such as clutch head screws 224 which extend through companion apertures provided in the latch parts.

The latch part 118 is preferably of one-piece construction and comprises a base 126 having a centrally upstanding part 128 which terminates in a hook-shaped portion 135i, the base being mounted to the top face of the rail 122 of the upper sash by screws 124. The latch part 116 comprises a housing 132 having a base 134 which is mounted to the top face of the rail of the lower sash by screws 12d, said housing pivotal-1y mounting the part 136 which is interengageable with the portion 136 of the latch part 118 for locking the sashes. The part 136 is. provided with an arcuate upstanding flange 133 of gradually ascending depth from the end 146 thereof and tor-- minates at the opposite end in a fingerpiece 142 providing: for the manual actuation of the part 136. The part 136 is fixedly mounted to the shaft 144 for rotation therewith. by means of the fasteners 1'46 and 1 8. The shaft 144' is of elliptical cross section and is disposed internally of the housing 13?; centrally thereof. The housing is. provided with opposite side walls 15% and 152 and projecting from said side walls are two aligned pairs of ribs 15 which mount the spring members 15:3. The spring members rest on the Washer 158 secured between the shaft l id and the fastener 148. The spring members are disposed adjacent to the shaft 144 and are spaced a distance substantially corresponding to the length of the elliptical minor axis for biasing said shaft in its extreme locked and unlocked positions, said spring members being yieldable away from each other on the rotation of said shaft concomitantly with the rotation of the part 136.

Pursuant to the present invention, a block 160' is mounted forwardly of the housing between the walls 150 and 152, the ends of the block being seated in recesses 162 provided in said walls and being secured in position by fasteners or other suitable means. The housing further includes a top wall 164 and a front wall 166, the latter wall having an opening 168 providing access to the block. The block 160 has a front exposed surface 170 which corresponds to the surface 64 previously described. The block 160 is provided with an aperture 172 and counterbore 174 which correspond to the aperture 60 and counterbore 62 of the previous embodiment. The shaft 144 is provided with a vertically elongated aperture 176 in registry with the apertures 172 and 182. A block 178 is fixedly secured in position adjacent the back wall 180 and between walls 150 and 152. The block 178 corresponds to the block 50 previously described and is provided with an aperture 182 and keyway 184 in registry with aperture 172 and keyway 173 of block 160. The block 178 is recessed as indicated at 186 and secured in said recess is a star washer 74 which registers with aperture 182. One of the slots 76 of washer 74 registers with the keyways 173 and 184 as aforedescribed.

In order to lock the sashes in a burglarproof manner the part 136 is manually actuated to the sash locked position in which the portion 130 is interengaged with the flange 138 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the lock bolt 78 is installed in position in the manner described above in detail. It will be apparent that any of the lock bolts previously described may be used in conjunction with the sash lock 114. The lock bolt 78 extends through the aperture 176 of shaft 144 to thereby lock said shaft against rotation and thereby lock the sash lock. Thus lock bolt removal is required to permit the part 136 to be manually actuated to the unlocked position. Thus even if the would-be burglar should break or remove a pane of glass to gain access to the sash lock, he could not unlatch such sash lock Without first removing the lock bolt which is a very diflicult or near impossible task for the burglar without frontal visual access to the bolt as previously explained in detail. The householder may facilely install and remove the lock bolt relative to the sash lock through the opening 168.

The sash lock 186, shown in FIG. 8, comprises a complmentary pair of releasably interengageable latch parts 188 and 190 which are secured to the sash meeting rails in the manner described above in connection with sash lock 114. The latch part 188 comprises a bracket 192 which rotatably mounts the bolt member 194, the latter being restrained against axial movement and having a laterally projecting part 196 which is engageable with the latch part 190 for locking the sash lock. Thus the part 196 is engageable and disengageable with the part 190 on the rotation of the bolt member.

The latch part 190 comprises a bracket 198 having sidewalls 200 and 202 and a back wall 204, there being provided a block 50 which is suitably secured in fixed position against said back wall and between said sidewalls. The block 50' corresponds to the block 50 previously described and is provided with a star washer 74 seated in the recess 72'. The latching member 34 corresponds to the latching member 34 previously described and is of quadrilateral cross section with circular end parts 38' and 40', the latching member being axially reciprocable in the bracket 198. The front face of block 50' and the rear face of the latching member are disposed in adjacent relation and the latching member is lightly biased away from the block 50' by means of the coil spring 54'. The latching member 34' is thus of generally similar construction as the latching member 34 previously described and incorporates a similar antiburglary feature utilizing a lock bolt 78, the latching member 34' cooperating with its companion block 50 in the manner of cooperation between member 34 and its companion block 50. Thus the latching member 34' is provided with a smooth face 64' and has an aperture and counterbore for the reception of the lock bolt.

In order to lock the sash in a sash locked position and in a burglarproof manner, the bolt member 194 is rotated to engage the part 196 with the part 206 of latch part and the latching member is reciprocated in a locking direction to the position shown in FIG. 8 in which the locking apertures and keyways of the block 50* and member 34' are in registry. In this position the part 196 will be locked between the part 206 and the part 38 to thereby lock the sashes in position. If desired, the contact face of the part 38' may be somewhat flattened and the adjacent contact faces between the part 196 and the part 38 may be knurled or roughened to provide frictional drag between the parts. The latching member is locked in this position by means of the lock bolt 78 which is installed in position in the manner previously described with reference to the latching device 14. With the latching member thus locked in position, the part 196 will be locked between the parts 38 and 206 to thereby lock the sashes in position. It will be apparent that with the lock bolt 78 removed, the latching member may be shifted to the right viewing FIG. 8, and the part 196 rotated to a sash unlocked position.

Referring to FIGS. 1012, the latching device 210 is of generally similar construction as the latching device 14 and incorporates a similar anti-burglary feature, the latching device 210 differing from latching device 14 in the respects to be described in detail hereinafter. The latching device 210 dispenses with the need of providing an aperture corresponding to aperture 42 in the stile 18 as will be apparent from the description which follows. The latching device 210 is secured in the mortise 16' of stile 18, said latching device comprising an L-shaped bracket 212 having a back wall 214 and a side wall 216 which defines a face plate. Suitably secured to the wall 214, as by means of fastener 218, is a block 220 which corresponds to the block 50 of device 14.

The latching member 222 corresponds to the latching member 34 and is mounted for axial movement between locking and unlocking positions, the member 222 having a projecting portion 224 which interfits with the slot or track 226 at the forward part of the block 220 for relative slidable movement. The member 222 has a laterally offset part 228 provided with an end part 230 of circular cross section. The wall 216 forms a stop for the latching member in the locking position thereof and the end wall 232 of the block forms a stop for the latching member in the movement thereof in an unlocking direction.

The jamb 44' is provided with a locking aperture 46', defined by the sleeve 48', for the reception of the part 230 of the latching member in the locking position thereof. The latching member 222 is lightly biased into engagement with the block 220 by the leaf springs 234 which are suitably secured to the wall 236 of the trim plate 238, as by means of the fasteners 240. The latch ing member is provided with an aperture 60' having a counterbore 62' at the front face 64' thereof, said aperture 60 having a keyway 66' coextensive therewith. The block 220 is provided with an aperture 68' and keyway 70 in registry with aperture 60 and keyway 66' and of corresponding size. The block is recessed as indicated at 72' and in place of a star washer a pair of stops 242 are utilized which project from the wall 244 defined by the recess adjacent the keyway 70' (see FIG. 12),

In order to lock the sash in a sash locked position and in a burglarproof manner, the part 230 is engaged in the aperture 46' and in this position the apertures 68' and 68' will register so that the lock bolt 78 may be manipulated therethrough as described in detail with reference to the latching device 14. The key 84 is registered with the keyways when the bolt is extended through the apertures 60, 68'. In the installed position of bolt 78, the head 82 thereof interfits with the counterbore s ears/s 62' and the outer face of the head is flush with the face 64' of the latching member. The bolt 73 is rotated to take the key 84 out of registry with the keyways 66, 7t?" and to lock the sash in a burglarproof manner. The stops 242 function to prevent full rotation of the bolt when the latter is slightly axially retracted by a magnet so as to prevent the use of such magnet from applying a bolt retracting force concomitant with the rotation thereof to the keyway 70'. It will be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to provide any desired number of apertures 96 in the bolt head 82 and such apertures may be of the same or of different sizes and may be uniformly or non-uniformly spaced as desired.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures embodying the invention it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular form herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention Whatl claim as new and desire to secure by Letters P 1. A latching device, compris' g a bracket mounting a latching member for rial movement between first asecond positions and rr cans for iockin g said latching her in one of said positions thereof con 'sing a part dis posed in fixed relation with said bracket and a lock bolt adapted for with said part in the locking position of said latching member, said latching member and said fixed part being provided with registering apertures and keyways, said lock bolt having a head at one end and a key at opposite end thereof, said lock bolt being mountable in said registering apertures with said key aligned with registering l'syways to a locking position in which said head is disposed in substantially flush relation with the adjacent surface of said latching mem her, said lock bolt in said locking position the key rotated out of alignment with the registeiing keyways rearward}! of said fixed part a erture to thereby prevent the retraction of said lock bolt from said latching memher, the rotation of said lock colt to align said key with said keyways conditioning said lock belt for retraction from said latching member to an unlocked position.

2. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching member for axial movement between first and second positions, and means for lockin said latching member in one of said positions thereof comprising a part disposed in fixed relation with said bracket and a lock bolt adapted for engage sent with said part in the locking position of said latching member, said latching memher and said fixed part being provided with registering apertures and keyways, said lock bolt having a head at one end and a key at the opposite end thereof, said lock bolt being mountable in said registerim apertures with said key aligned with said registering keyways to a lockim position in which said head is disposed in substantially r 7. h relation with the adjacent surface of said latching member, said lock bolt in said locking position having the key rotatcd out of alignment with the registering keyways rearwardly of said part aperture to thereby prevent the retraction of said lock bolt from said latching member, the rotation of said lock bolt to align said key with said keyways conditioning said lock bolt for retraction from said latching member to an unlocked position, said lock bolt head and said latching member surface being smooth, and said lock bolt head being formed of magnetizable material whereby the lock bolt may be retracted from said latching member with said key aligned with said keyways by a magnetic device applied to said lock bolt head.

3. A latching device, comprising a bracket mounting a latching member for axial movement. between first and second positions and means for locking said latching mem ber in one of said positions thereof comprising a part disposed in fixed relation with bracket a lock bolt adapted for engagement with said part in the locking position of said latching member, said latching member and said fined part being provided with registering apertures and keyways, said lock bolt having a head at one end and a key at the opposite end thereof, said lock bolt being iountable in said registerins apertures with said key aligned with said registering kcyways to a locking posi tion in which said head is disposed in substantially flush relation with the adjacent surface of said latching member, said lock bolt in said locking position having the key In Wted out of alignment with the registering kcyways rearwardly of said fixed pert aperture to thereby prevent the retraction of said lock bolt from said latching membet, the rotation of said loci: bolt to align said key with said keyways conditio ng said lock bolt for retraction iron said latching member to an unlocked position, and s disposed adjacent to the rear of said fixed part aperture prevent the rotation of said lock bolt simultaneous with the application o a retracting force thereto. 4. A latching device, comprising a acket mounting a latching member for axial movement between first and second positions and means for locking said latching membet in one of said positions thereof comprising a part disposed in fixed relation vii-ch "aid bracket and a lock bolt for engage iert y 'th said part in the loci; ing position of said latching said latching memr and said fixed part being provided with registering tip rtu'es and keyways, sa' ock bolt having a head at one en.- and a key at the 0;" site end thereof, said lock bolt being mountable in said registering apertures with said key aligned with said registering keyways to a locking position which said head is disposed in substantially flush relation with the adjacent surface of said latching member, said lock bolt in said locking position having the key rotated out of ali nment with the registering keyways rear- Wardly of said fixed part aperture to thereby prevent the retraction of said lock bolt from said latching member, the rotation of said lock bolt to align said key with said keyways conditioning said lock bolt for retraction from said latchirr member to an unlocked position, and means disposed adjacent to the rear of said fixed part aperture to prevent the rotation of said lock bolt simultaneous with the application of a retracting force thereto, said last mentioned means comprising a star washer having a central aperture aligned with said registering apertures and a series of slots extending peripherally thereof, one of said slots being aligned with said keyways.

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